Spectacular show as Arts Council and friends ‘go to the movies’

Arts council president Petite Garcia and trustee Marissa Fernan hosted the Dec. 16 board of trustees meeting. It was an elaborate luncheon cum lauriat held at the Tin Gow of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, with optimum attendance.

They practically breezed through the agenda, assessing undertaking, getting the financial status and mapping out key events for the year 2012. It was agreed that the general membership meeting for the annual elections will be held in March.

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Famous films

Most of the two hours were taken up by the Dec. 7 spectacular production of “Arts Council and Friends Go to the Movies,” wherein all the trustees had participated in various singing and dancing roles. Held at the Waterfront’s spacious ballroom, the dinner-show consisted of song-and-dance numbers from famous films. Overall artistic director Benjie Diola had made the choices, resulting in quite an impressive college. He counted with Niño James Banares as musical director. Miguel Larrauri and Vince Escario introduced every number, giving pertinent information about the films, directors and stars.

Opening number was “There’s No Business Like Show Business” from “Annie Get Your Gun.” To conclude, there was the entire cast and some lined up on stage to do “One” from “A Chorus Line.”

One! If there had to be ONE person singled out from the cast for being in several numbers and radiating sheer enjoyment, enthusiasm and even relish, it was Marissa Fernan. She was the event’s overall chairperson. She appeared in the first and last numbers, as well as in the “Rent” sequence and the bouncy “Mamma Mia.”

There was a ripple of delight from the swooning audience as Gerald Lauron sang “On the Street Where You Live” from “My Fair Lady” and Teresin Mendezona emerged as if floating on a cloud. Arcy Gayatin had confected for her a replica of Cecil Beaton’s Ascot costume for Audrey Hepburn, complete with wide-brimmed hat. Her escorts were in dapper dark suits—Andre Suarez, Jaime Chua and Dr. Randolph Libres.

Society darlings

Dr. Randolph is an excellent singer and had several numbers in the show. He did “Seasons of Love” from “Rent” and “Pretty Woman” with society darlings sashaying in various styles worn by Julia Roberts in the film.

Dr. Libres also sang “Moon River,” from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” with Elvira Luym, Marylou Neri, Merce Abellana and Girlie Ang parading in Philip Rodriguez versions of the famous Givenchy black sheath Audrey Hepburn wore on the film’s opening scene. Tiaras sparkled on their heads, and jewels twinkled from their long cigarette holders.

The Lounge Medley from “Sister Act” drew overwhelming applause, and some of those “nuns” did dare show a bit more leg than what director Benjie may have allowed. But that’s what made it all the more fun.

Raycia Eullaran electrified the audience in her shimmering gold lamé gown and her powerful voice, singing “Goldfinger.” As she sang, two acrobats from Liceo de Cagayan University did an act right out of Cirque du Soleil.

Impressive solos

There were other impressive solos, one of them by Raycia’s young son Rayne Eullaran with “When You Wish Upon a Star” from “Pinocchio.” Yohanni Beltran sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz,” while her sister Yntel Beltran did “I Enjoy Being a Girl” from “Flower Drum Song.”

Daryl Shane Leong sang “As Time Goes By” from “Casablanca.” He was also one of the mop-haired quartet in “A Hard Day’s Night” along with Benedict Diola, Gerald Lauron and Rayne Eullaran.

Kaye Larrauri sang a la Gwen Verdon “Whatever Lola Wants” from “Damn Yankees,” while Benjie Layos did his version of “Unchained Melody” from “Ghost.”

Fr. Jun Agravante did a convincing “Do You Love Me?” from “Fiddler on the Roof” with Vivina Yrastorza doing the rejoinders with perfect timing. She got so many congratulatory text messages that night and for days after.

Father Jun also sang “Somewhere in Time” as Chris and Sheila Manlunas of Balletcenter performed it as a pas de deux. Speaking of Balletcenter, they did a marvelous takeoff from “Footloose.”

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